Supporting device



7 Aug. 31, 1948. J. GABEL 2,448,304

SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed July 31, 1946 7 INVENTOR.

(75% GZZZZ Patented Aug. 31, 1948 UNITED STATES harem orrlcs 4 Claims.

This invention relates to supporting devices, and particularly to standsor holders for objects such as Christmas trees having lower portionswhich are clamped and held upright.

It is highly desirable that supporting devices of the aforesaidcharacter be so designed and constructed that they can be assembled withmaximum ease. This is especially true where such a device is used in theerection of a Christmas tree or like object in view of the air oftension and excitement which generally attends such an event. It isfurther desired that the holder be of relatively small size, sturdy,adjustable to accommodate trees or like objects of varying sizes,effective in resisting any tendency of the object to tip, and capable ofbeing readily knocked down and stored or packed when not in use. InUnited States Letters Patent 1,789,360, granted to me on January 20,1931, there is disclosed a holder for a Christmas tree or the like whichfulfills the above requirements. The present invention affords certainimprovements in regard to the basic construction as set forth in theaforesaid patent, as well as Christmas tree holders or like devices ingeneral.

An object of the present invention is to facilitate the assembling ofthe h'older by an improved manner of mounting the water cup on the baseof the holder.

A further object is to afford greater rigidity and equilibrium of theholder by an improved base structure.

Still further objects are to simplify the construction of the holder asa whole and to provide a novel, economical and advantageous constructionfor the purpose set forth.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will beapparent from the following specification when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodiment is set forth forpurposes of illustration.

In the drawing, wherein like reference numerals are used to designatelike parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing the holder as assembled and supporting atree trunk or like object, the holder being constructed in accordancewith and embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the holder;

Fig. 3 is a plan detail View of th'e tree clamping portion of theholder;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the water cup associated with theholder;

Fig. 5 is a perspective detail View of a portion of the base structure,and

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail view to show the manner of mounting thewater cup on the base.

Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof,the embodiment of the invention there illustrated comprises apyramidshaped frame having a rectangular base. Bars I0, which arebentdiagonally outwardly at their ends, form the sides of the rectangularbase. Crossbars I2 extend diagonally between the corners of therectangle and are notched at their centers, as shown in Fig. 5, so as tobe interfitting. A water cup I4, Fig. 4, havinga flanged bottom portion,is adapted to seat on the bars I2, the lower flange of the cup I4 havingnotches I6 provided therein to receive the bars I2, as shown in- Fig. 6.A spike I8 or similar projection extending upwardly from the bottom ofthe cup I4 is provided to impale the lower end of a tree trunk 20, Fig.l, or like object which is to be supported by the holder. Bars 22 extenddiagonally upwardly from the corners of the base and carry at theirupper ends the clamping means for engaging the tree trunk 20 or thelike. The bars I0, I2 and 22 are fastened together at the corners of thebase by any suitable means such as the bolts 23 shown in the drawing.Details of the clamping structure are more clearly indicated in Fig. 3.Arcuate clamp members 24, having lugs through which bolts 26 may bepassed to attach these clamp members to the upper ends of the bars 22,are arranged in a circle about the tree trunk 20. The bolts 26 aretightened to clamp the trunk 20, the amount of tightening required beingdependent on the diameter of the tree trunk. The lower end of the treetrunk rests in the cup I4, which may be filled with water to keep th'ethree from drying out.

By means of the bolts 23 and 26, the structure is quickly and easilyassembled. The water cup 54 is readily positioned by merely placing iton the bars I2 which seat in the notches it. This is especiallyadvantageous in that it avoids the need for attaching the water cup tothe frame. The cup is firmly held in position by the tree trunk 20 andthe bars I2. The framework is readily taken apart by loosening the bolts23 and 26 and can be compactly stored or packaged for shipment.

The notched Crossbars I2, in addition to affording a convenient mountingfor the water cup I4, are effective to brace the structure rigidly. Theyalso have the advantage that it is not necessary to attach them to thewater cup. The frame as a whole forms a stable support for the tree. Itwill be understood of course that the invention may be used equally wellfor supporting other objects such as fiagpoles or signs having a lowerportion that may be clamped in place instead of the tree trunk.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specificembodiment set forth for purposes of illustration without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. The invention isaccordingly not to belimited to the specific embodiment shown and described, but only asindicated in the following claims.

The invention is hereby caimed as follows;

1. A support for engaging and holdin upright the trunk portion of aChristmas treeorany other object having a portion similar to the trunk,comprising bars forming arectangular base, bars extending diagonallyupwardly from the corners of said base toward the object to be supportedthereby, clamping means carried on the upper ends of said upwardlyextending bars to engage and hold the object to be supported, crossbarsextending between the corners of said base, and a water cup, having aflanged lower edge notched to receive said. crossbars, mounted on. said.crossbars without attachment thereto and enclosing. the, lower end ofthe object to be supported,

2. A support for engaging and holding upright the trunk portion. of aChristmas tree or any other object similar thereto, comprising apyramidal framework, crossbarsat the base of said framework, and. acupadapted. to enclose the lower portion of. the object. to besupported, said cup being. notched on its. lower edge for mounting onsaid crossbars.

3. A support for engaging and holding upright the trunk portion of aChristmas tree or any other object similar thereto, comprising barsforming a rectangular base, crossbars extendin between the corners ofsaid base and being notched to interfit at their centers, a frametapering upwardly from the corners of said base, clamping means carriedby said frame to engage the object to be supported, and a cup adapted toseat on said crossbars and enclose the lower end of the object to besupported.

4. A support for engaging and holding upright the trunk portion of aChristmas tree or any other object similar thereto, comprisin barsforming a rectangular base, bars extending diagonally upwardly from thecorners of said base toward the object to be supported therebyREFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Dixon et al July 14, 1885 Bailey June17,1913 Piner Sept. 8, 1914 Gabel Jan. 20, 1931 Number

